According to data by the UK Royal Mint (RM) for November 2013, the share of counterfeit £1 coins in circulation has amounted to 3.04%.

Due to the high counterfeiting level, RM is preparing to issue a £1 coin with redesign and security features in 2017. The 12-faceted shape will be its main visual feature. It'll be also different from the old version in 2 parts: the inner part will be made of white alloy, the outer part of yellow alloy. RM is planning to use there its new technology, iSIS (Integrated Secure Identification Systems), whose development has been invested with £2+m.

Meanwhile, RM recommends the public, retail and bank staff to spot the following signs typical of fake coins:

• mismatch of issue date to reverse design;
• mismatch of issue date to edge inscription;
• edge corrugation with fuzzy boundaries, edge inscription elements with different depth or irregular shape; unclear obverse and reverse images, some design discrepancies;
• color mismatch;
• more shiny and goldish coin without wear signs after some circulation;
• irregular obverse/reverse co-orientation.